Rail elevating and clamping device



Oct. 16, 1934. F. E, CARDULLO RAIL ELEVATING A ND CLAMPING DEVICE Filed Sept.

29, 1932 3 Sheets-Sheet l INVENTORY oct. 16, 1934. F. E. CARDULLO 1,976,713

RAIL ELEVATING AND CLAMPING DEVICE Filed Sept. 29, 1952 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 .36a 43C` 37e INVENTOR.

Patented Oct. 16, 1934 UNITED STATES RAIL ELEVATING.- AND CLAMPIING DEVICE Forrest E. Cardullo, Cincinnati, Ohimassignor to The G. A. Gray Company, Cincinnati, Chio Application September 29,1932, Serial No. 635,432

12 Claims.

My invention relates to machines of that type which have a beam or rail supported by one or more uprights, columns or housings, to which the railv is clamped when in use, and on which it slides, in order that the height of the rail shall be proper for the service which it is to perform. More broadly, it relates to any machine having two or more elements in which one is sometimes movable relative to the others, and at other times clamped to one or more of them, when it is desirable to use power means for both moving and clamping. My invention provides power means for clamping the rail to the supporting member or members, and means for controlling the operation of the power means for clamping and the power means for elevating, in such a manner that the unclamping, elevating or lowering, and reclamping of the rail, will automatically occur in the proper order without attention on the part of the operator, except that he must press one of two push buttons until the rail has reached the desired position.

In the drawings, Figure 1 is a rear elevation of a double housing planer with part of the housings broken away to show the elevating screws and rail elevating nuts; FigureZ is a view from the same position on a larger scale, of one of the clamping mechanisms with the gear box cut away to show the gearing; Figure 3 is a section through a part of the rail and housing illustrating the action of the clamp, the bellcrank lever, and the pull rod operating the bell-crank lever; and Figure 4 is an electrical diagram showing the connections, relays, push buttons, etc., for operating the various motors. l

,In the annexed drawings 1 and 2 are vertical members, variously known as housings, uprights or columns, on which slides the horizontal member or rail 3. To rail 3 are pivoted upper clamps 4 4G and 5V and lower clamps 6 and 7, the clamping surfaces of which engage ledges la and 2a formed on the uprights 1 and 2. Clamps 4, 5, 6 and 7 pivot about pins 8 and 9 which are set in holes bored through portions of the rail 3. Clamps 4, 5, 6 and 7 are levers, the short arms of which engage the ledges while the long arms are actuated by bellcranks 10, 11, 12 and 13 which pivot about pin 14 and a similar pin not shown set in holes bored through portions of the rail 3. In the long arms of bellcranks 10 and 11 are formed holes as at 10a, through which are passed pull rods 16 and 17. In bellcranks 12 and 13 are formed similar holes through which pass threaded shafts 18 and 19.

Pull rods 16 and 17 have threaded to' them nuts 16a and 17a which bear against the long arms of the bellcranks 10 and 11. At the other end of the pull rods are formed eyes through which pass pins 20 .and 2l which attach the pull rods to levers 22 and 28. These levers pivot on pins 24 and 25, which are fast to the back of the rail. The pull 60 rods 16 and 17 are attached to the shorter arms of levers 22 and 23, the longer arms of which are forked so as to embrace nuts 26 and 27 which are threaded on' shafts 18 and 19. On the ends of shaftsl and 19, where they pass through holes in bellcranks 12 and 13 similar to the one shown at 10a, are fastened nuts as at 18a and ball thrust bearings as at 18h. To shaft 18 is pinned a gear 28 meshing with pinion 30. Pinion 30 is wide faced so that gear 28 can move axially through a distance of several inches. To the hub of pinion 30 is keyed gear 32 which is driven by pinion 34 which is turned by electric motor 36. The gear train mentioned above is mounted in case 38, which is fastened to the back of the rail. On shaft 19 and incase 39 is mounted a similar train of gears driven by motor 37. Between case 38 and nut 26 is spring 40 and between gear case 39 `and nut 27 is spring 41.

When motor 38 is energized so as to rotate in the proper direction, threaded shaft 18 turns, drawing nut 26 toward bellcrank 12. Gear 28 slides axially with shaft 18, so that an equal pull is exerted on the end of bellcrank l2 and on the end of lever 22. Lever 22 transmits its pull through pull rod 16 to bellcrank 10. On account of the relative lengths of the two arms of lever 22 a greater pull is exerted on bellcrank 10 than is exerted on bellcrank 12. Bellcranks 10 and 12 actuate clamps 4 and 6 so that as a result the rail I is clamped tightly to ledge 1a formed on vertical member 1, the upper part being more tightly clamped than the lower part. Motor 37 being energized atthe same time actuates in a similar manner the corresponding parts on the other end ci the rail, so that clamps 5 and 7 clamp the other end of the rail to vertical member 2.A When the electric current causes the motors to revolve in the opposite direction, nuts 26 and 27 move away from bellcranks 12 and 13, and springs 40 and 41 by their action against the nuts 26 and 27, cause upper clamps 4 and 5 to be relieved. Springs 40 and 41 are not strong enough tocause any appreciable clamping action on the lower clampsl and 7.

Nut 26 is provided with lugs 26a in which are bored holes to receive plunger 26h. Plunger 2Gb slides in these holes and is held in place by spring 26e acting against collar 26d. The end of plunger 2Gb makes contact with push button 36d, when fastened to the back of rail v3.

- reaches from one upright to the other.

threaded shaft 18 has been revolved suniciently to unclamp the mechanism. As the threaded shaft unclamps the mechanism, spring 46 pushes nut 26 toward push button 36d, and when the unclamping has proceeded suiciently, plunger 26h presses the push button, closing an electric circuitto be described later. In case the motor continues to revolve and the nut 26 continues to approach push button 36d, 'spring 26e will loe compressed so that the push button is not damaged. Nut 27 carries a corresponding plunger and spring which engages push button 37d when motor 37 has completely unclamped the mechanism which it operates. In order to keep nuts 26 and 27 from turning with shafts 16 and 19, they are provided with lugs as at 26e, which engage studs as at 38a, the studs being screwed into cases 38and 39, and fitting, with a little clearance, in holes bored in the lugs.

Across the top of the `uprights 1 and 2 is stretched a brace 42 on which is mounted an elevating motor 43. The'elevating motor is geared by pinion 44 and gear 45 to shaft 46 which At the ends of shaft 46 are bevel pinions 47 and 48 meshing with bevel gears 49 and 50. Driven by bevel gears 49 and 50 are elevating screws 5l and 52 which are threaded to elevating nuts 53 and 54 When elevating motor`43 turns in one direction the train of gearing turns the screws in such a manner as to draw the rail up on the faces of the uprights l and 2, and when it turns in the other direction the screws turn in such a manner as to lower the rail upon the faces of the uprights.

Referring to Figure 4, the circuits for operating-these motors are as follows: 55 and 56 are the two wires which energize the various motors.

From junction 550., a wire runs to coil 57 and thence to push button 56.

With the button in the position showncurrent will iioW from .line 55 through coil 57, through the normally closed terminals of push button A58, through the normally closed terminals of push button 59, and thence to junction 56a on Wire-56. With push buttons 58 and 59 in their normal position, coil 57 will be energized, closing relay contacts 57a and 57h. When these contacts are closed current will iiow from junction 55h on terminals 575 to yjunction 5619 on line 56.

.. push buttons 58 and 59 are in their normal positions, but if desired, provision may be made by ways well known in the art, to de-energize these motors by means of a timing relay which will permit the motors to be energized for a definite time after push button 58 or 59 returns to its normal position, and then l(ie-energize the motors.

In order that motors 36, 37 and 43 ,shall he reversible, their iield windings 36e, 37C and 43C areconnected as shown, although if desired, additional controls may be employed in the manner well known in the art, to de-energize the elds when the armatures are de-energised.

If now it is desired to elevate vthe rail, push button 58 is pushed in until terminals 58a and 565 are connected. This breaks the circuit through coil 57 which in turn breaks the circuit through resistance 60, and the motors 36 and 37. However, a circuit is nou/,completed from junction 56a through push button 56, coil 61, junction 62o and coil 62 to junction 55o. Coil 61 is a low resistance coil having few turns and coil 62 is a high resistance coil having many turns. The resistance of coil 62 limits the current in this circuit so that coil 61 cannot close the relay contacts 61a and 615, but the current is great enough so that coil 62 closes the relay contacts 62a and 62h. Under these conditions current will iiow from line 5,5 through contacts 62a to terminals 36h and 37b of motors 36 and 37, and return from armature terminals 36a and 37a through relay terminals 626 to line 56. Current flowing in this direction through motors 36 and 37 causes them to rotate in such a direction as to unclamp the mechanism, and since there is no external resistance in this circuit, the torque which they exert when they unclamp the mechanism is consideraoly greater than that which they exert when they clamp the mechanism, so that although they are stalled in the clamping position they will unclamp the mechanism to which they are geared. o o

When the motor armatures have revolved sufficiently so that the clamps are free, pushbuttons 'ico 36d and 37d will be closed by plungers 26h and 27h Y already mentioned, which action short circuits coil 62 across line 55, and permits current to flow directly from 56a through push botten 58, coil 61, junction 62o and push button terminals 37d and 36d to line 55.

Since coil 62 is of high resistance the current hitherto flowing in coil 61 has been toosmall to actuate the relay, but now that coil 62 is no longer in the circuit of coil 61, the current in coil 6l increases considerably, closing the relay terthrough coil 57 which closes relay terminals 57a and 57h, causing the clamping motor to again reclamp the rail.

If the operator presses button 59, coil Y57 will be de-energized, opening the circuit ofmotors 36 and 37 at terminals 57a and 57h, and as soon as the circuit is completed through 59a and 59h, coil 63 (which is a coil of low resistancesimilar to coil 6l) will be energized, the current passing through junctions 62e and coil 62 back to line 55 at junction 55e. Since coils 62 and 63 are in series, the current is not sufficient to actuate relay 63, but relay 62 will be actuated, closing terminals 62a and 62h, and causing motors 36 and 37 to be so energized as to unclamp the rail. As soon as both clamping mechanisms are sufciently unclamped so that terminals 37d and 36d are both closed, coil 62 will be short circuited, opening terminals 62a and 62h so that motors 36 and 37 will be de-energized and caused to stop rotating, and the current will increase sufficiently through coil 63 to close terminals 63a and 63h. This will cause the current to flow through the armature 43 in such a manner as to lowerA the rail, and the rail will continue to lower until the operator takes his nger from button 59, when coil 63 will be de-energized, opening the circuit at terminals 63a and 63h and stopping the motor 43. At the same time the circuit through coil 57 will be completed, terminals 57a and 57h will be closed and motors 36 and 37 will rotate in the clamping direction until they stall.

It will be seen from the above description of this apparatus that I have provided means so that it is only necessary for the operator to press the proper push button in order to elevate or lower the rail. Immediately that he has done so the rail will unclamp. When the unclamping process is completed, it will cease and at the same time the rail will begin to elevate or lower and will. continue to elevate or lower so long as the operator keeps his finger on the push button. As soon as he removes his finger from; the push button, the rail'will cease to elevate or lower, and the clamping motors will automatically reclamp the rail without any attention on his part. It is obvious that this same type of mechanism is adapted to move any sort of sliding member which is clamped to the member or members on which it slides, that there may be onefor more clamps operated by one motor, or if convenient, by two or more motors. By appropriate modiiication of the clamping mechanism, the gearing, and the electrical circuits and'controls, the prin'- ciples disclosed may be applied to a wide variety of machines. The control device which initiates the cycle beginning with unclamping and ending with reclarnping, in this disclosure comprises among other parts a manually operated push button. However, such a control device may be of an entirely different type or of a mechanical form adapted to be operated by the foot or by some other part of the body. I wish to include in the scope of my claims all such control devices, and have therefore designated the devicev not as manually operated means, but as manually operable means, since the hand will serve to operate any type of control device which can be operated by any other part of the body. By appropriate modification of the'apparatus, the principles disclosed vmay be applied to pneumatic or hydraulic mechanisms, or such mechanisms used in connection with electrical mechanisms. I therefore do not wish to limit the scope of my invention to the particular mechanism shown, but to in-` clude all mechanisms which fall within the scope of the appended claims.

I claim:

1. In a machine, a support member, a movable member, a first power means for moving the movable member, clamping means for clamping the movable member to the support member, a second power means for actuating the clamping means, manually operable control means adapted to cause the second power means to unclamp and re-clamp the movable member, and control means actuated by the clamping means when in the unclamped position adapted to cause the first power means to move the movablemember.

2. In a machine, a support member, a movable member, a first power means for moving the movable member, clamping means for clamping the movable member to the support member, a

second power means foractuating the clamping means, manually operable control means adapted to cause the second power means to unclamp and re-clamp the movableV member, and control means actuated by the clamping means when in the unclamped position adapted to cause the first power means to move the movable member and to limit the motion of the second power means.

3. In a machine, a support member, a movable member, a first power means adapted to move the movable member, clamping means for clamp,- ing the movable member to the support mem!- ber, a second reversible power means for actuating the clamping means, manually operable control means adapted when in a normal position to cause the second power means to clamp the movable member, and when manually oper+ ated to cause the second power means to unclamp the movable member, and control means actuated by the clamping means when in the unclamped position, adapted tocause the rst power means to move the movable member. f

4. In a machine, a support member, a movable member, a first power means adaptedto move the movable member, clamping means for clamp'- ing the movable member to the support member, asecond reversible power means for actuating the clamping means, manually operablercontrol means adapted when in a normal position to causethe second power means to clamp the movable member, and when manually operated to cause the second power means to unclamp the movable member, and control means actuated by the clamping means when in the unclamped position, adapted to cause the rst power means to move the movable member and .to limit the motion of the 'second power means.

5. In a machine, a support member, a movable member, a rst reversible power means adapted to move the movable member, clamping means for clamping the movable member Vto the support member, a second reversible power means for Aao-l able member in a first direction, and a second manually operable control means adapted when in a first position to cause the second power means to clamp the movable member-'andwhen in a second position to cause the second power means to unclamp the movable member, and act ing jointly with the automatic controlA means to cause the first power means to move the movable member in a second and opposite direction.

6. In a machine,a support member, a movable member, a rst power means for Vmoving 4the movable member, clamping means for clamping the movable member to the support member, a second reversible power means for actuating the clamping means, a first control means adapted when actuated to causetheoperation of the iirst power means, a second control means adapted when actuated to cause the operation of `the second power means for clamping, a third control means adapted when actuated to cause the operation of the second power means for untot means and acting jointly with the fourth control means to actuate the iirst controlmeans.

7. In a machine of the class specified, a supp ort member, a movable member, a rst reversible motor for moving lthe movable member on the support member, clamping means for clamping the movable member to the support member, a lsecond reversible motorV for actuating the clamping means, ra rst relay adapted to energize the first motor` for motion in one direction, a second relay adaptedV to energize the rst motor for motion inthe opposite direction, a third relayY adapted to energize the second motor for clamping, yafourth relay adapted tol energize the second motor for unclamping, a nrst push button, or the like, adapted Vwhen in one position to actuate the third relay and when in the other position to actuate the fourth relayr and permit the actuation of the first'reiay, a second. push button, or the like, adapted when in o-ne position to actuate the third relay andwhen in the other position to actuate the fourth relay and permit the actuationof the second'relay, anda third push button, or the like, normally open, and closed Vby the clamping mechanism when in the unclamped position, adapted.- wh'en closed'to prevent the actuation of the fourth relay and to permit the actuation of the rst and second relays. r

' 8. In a machine, a support member, a sliding member adapted to slide on the support member, a rst power means for moving the sliding member in either desired direction on the support member, clamping means for clamping the `'sliding member to the support member, a second power means for actuatingthe clampingmeans, automatic control means actuated by the clamping meansv when in the unclamped position, a iirst manually operable control means adapted when in one position to energize the second power means for clamping, and when in the other position to energize the second power means for unclamping and acting jointly with the automaticcontrol means to energize the iirst power means for moving the sliding member in one direction, and a second manuallyv operable control means adapted when in one position to energize the second power means forclamping, and when in the other position to 'energize' the second power means for unclarnping and acting jointly with the automatic control means to energize the first power means for moving the sliding member in the other direction.

9. In a machine of the class specified, a pairl of uprights, a cross rail to slide vertically on the uprights, anpelevating motor adapted to rotate in either direction, means for causing the rotation/oi?v the elevating motor to raise or lower the cross rail on the uprights in accordance with thel ergize the" elevating motor for elevating the rail,

and a second manually operable switch'adapted `whenvin one position to energize the clamping motors for clamping, and when in the other p0- sition to energize the clamping motors for unclamping and acting jointly with the automatic control means to energize the elevating motor for lowering the rail.

v10. In a machine, a xed member, a movable v member, a iirst reversiblepower means for moving the movable member, clampingmeans 'for clamping the movable member to the fixed member, a secondA reversible power means for actuating the clamping means, an automatic control means actuated by the clamping means when in the unclamped position, a rst manually operable 1control' means adapted alternatively to energize the second power means for unclamping and acting jointly with the automatic control means to energize the first power means for moving the movable member in one direction, or to energize the second power means for clamp.- ing, 'and `a second manually operable control means adapted alternatively to energize the second' powerv means for unclamping and acting jointly with the automaticcontrol means to 'energize the first power means for moving the mov,

able member'in the other direction, lor to energize the second power means for clamping.

l1. -In a machineja support member, a movable member, a first power means adapted to move the movable member, clamping means for clamping the movable member tothe support member, a second reversible power means for actuating the clamping means, a rst control means for energizing the iirst power means, a second manually operable control means adapted when in its normal po'sitionrto cause the second power means to clamp' the movable member4 and when moved' therefrom to cause the second power means 'to'unclamp the movable member, and a third control means actuated by the Vclamping means when inthe `unclarnped position adapted to act jointly'with the second control means to operate the first control means. f f L 1 2. In a machine, a support member, a movable member, a rst power means adapted to move'the movable membenclamping means for clamping the `movable member :to thevsupport member, a second reversible power means for actuating the clamping means, a rst control means for energizing the first power means, a second manually operable control means adapted when invits normal position to cause the second power means to clamp the movable member and when moved therefrom to cause the second power means to unclamp the Vmovable member, and a third control means actuated by the clamping means when in the unclampedposition adapted to limit the motion of the second power means, and acting-jointly with the second control means, to operate the first control means. 

